I landed in Madrid and was reunited with my old housemate and good friend Marina.
We read magazines and took in the panoramic views of the Spanish capital on the rooftop of Marina's grandmother's apartment block.
The skyline hung low, with densely packed apartment blocks imperfectly stacked together for as far as the eye could see.
It's been almost two years since Marina left Melbourne and I stopped living in North Melbourne, yet as old friends do, we picked up right where we left off.
Walking through El Retiro Park in Madrid, a park originally built for the royal family to live in during retirement, Marina shared her thoughts on her future with impending graduation at university. From Australia to London to design to passion projects, it was encouraging to think of the endless possibilities and it challenged me to think about my own plans.
The park was fittingly grandiose, with a jaw-dropping open glass palace housing contemporary sculptures with a small lake with many turtles at its entrance; manicured lawns with thousands of trees; a phenomenal 17th century artificial lake with a magnificent monument and so much more.
"An early night for me is 3am."
The sun set and we wandered around for a local bar with vegan tapas (to no success). As the clock approached midnight, hunger and tiredness from flying set in. Given the Spanish siesta in the afternoon, an early dinner in Spain is at 9pm. Marina found it strange in Melbourne that we would meet people for drinks at 8.30pm.
Just contemplating the idea of being out until 3am made me sleepy. We found a local restaurant and ate a mushroom pizza, before she showed me a few old-school bars for more wine and beers.
At 2am, we sat in a square packed with people drinking their summer nights away, and I could feel my body beginning to give in. It was time to call it a night. On the ride home, the driver told Marina about various conspiracy theories as I lay asleep in the back.
We met Marina's friend Kat and drove to a house in the countryside for a typical European summer party. People brought salads, dips and Tinto de Verano, a drink which is half wine and half soda.
A smokey barbecue grilled fresh seafood and various meats. Friends took turns playing sets on the DJ decks, while others threw frisbees or jumped in the pool.
Upon returning to Madrid, we drank Mahou beers in Esta es Una Plaza, a square with a community garden and playground which had been reclaimed by the people and transformed into a vibrant artistic space.
A community performance and street art festival was taking place. There was a memorable performance celebrating and signifying a woman reaching menopause where friends took turns in pouring buckets of water all over her as she stood in a vegetable plot. Afterwards, she stood tall and triumphant, rising above and dancing with strength as the others watched.
"Madrid is the city that never stops."
They say that New York is the city that never sleeps, but I think Madrid is the city that never stops. It is the city with the liveliest streets in the world, filled with colour, passion and an enchanting, rumbling energy which drags you inside the cobblestone labyrinth.
You don't organise a time or place to meet with friends in Madrid, you crash into them randomly on the streets and meet all of their friends at the same time.
On my final afternoon in Madrid, I found respite at Toma Cafe. Light snuck into the rustic interiors, as people found their own pockets to sit in. Gentle flamenco music played as I drank a delicious cold brew reminiscent of home.
And my final hours in Madrid were spent as they began, reading magazines and chatting about life with an old friend.
Have you been to Madrid before? Do you want to visit?
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It would mean a lot to me.
love, thomas
© 2026 Thomas Feng
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